Tokyo: Japan will join a European project to observe the Apophis asteroid when it passes close to the Earth by providing the H3 rocket as a launch vehicle, a Japanese space agency official said on Friday.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will collaborate with the European Space Agency (ESA) on the Ramses mission. This mission aims to observe Apophis, which is set to make a close encounter with Earth in 2029, as stated by JAXA Vice President Masaki Fujimoto.
NASA, the U.S. space agency, had previously planned a separate mission named OSIRIS-APEX to rendezvous with Apophis in 2029. However, the mission's future remains uncertain due to potential U.S. budget cuts. Fujimoto emphasized the importance of JAXA's involvement in the Ramses mission, highlighting the need for Japan-Europe collaboration to study Apophis for the benefit of humanity.
The mission awaits final ESA approval in November. JAXA is considering the option of a ride-share launch with its deep space explorer, DESTINY+, alongside Ramses in 2028. Additionally, JAXA plans to provide infrared sensor and solar array paddle components for the Ramses mission.
Studying events like the close passage of Apophis is essential for planetary defense strategies to mitigate future asteroid collision risks, scientists have pointed out.
Furthermore, the EU and Japan confirmed their cooperation in building satellite constellations, including Europe's satellite communication infrastructure IRIS², during a leaders' summit in Tokyo last month.
In September, Eutelsat, a French competitor to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system, signed a multi-launch contract with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This company has been conducting H3 rocket launches since its first successful flight last year.
In addition to the Ramses mission, Japan is also planning a joint lunar rover mission named LUPEX with India.